For the summer of 2006 the International Relations Committee of the Nourish UNC Chapter had designated two projects: one with Help Argentina in Buenos Aires, and another in collaboration with the Bridge Trust in Mumbai. However, due to the unfortunate relocation of a former Nourish member who was to assist Nourish students in the later project, the project was cancelled for logistical concerns. Still, $2,000 was provided to the Bridge as a gesture of our commitment and friendship. The outcome of our investment and an assessment of our partners are provided.

The funds provided were used to benefit approximately 200 women with children in urban Mumbai and neighboring Thane area of Maharashtra, India. The Bridge Trust targeted newly immigrated women in Mumbai slums who left their villages in search of economic opportunities as well as rural at-risk women. Participants were provided with relocation assistance, seeds, fruit trees, fertilizers etc. and an agricultural engineer has been permanently hired to assist the women with cultivating, harvesting, and marketing crops and fruits. The project addresses several major issues: it helps combat urban migration and population displacement, provides a stable nutritional source and income generation, and empowers women by providing them with entrepreneurial skills.

To promote a sustainable process towards a dignified quality of life for tribal communities characterized by:

• Access to basic education and primary health care
• Access to safe drinking water and hygienic living conditions.
• Opportunity for secure livelihood through vocational training
• Enhanced self-reliance and self-esteem

Students were unable to work directly on this project.  However, two students, Naman Shah and Komal Desai were able to visit BridgeTrust while they were in India.  Naman vsited the project site and Komal interned with BridgeTrust for the summer of 2007.